Nagpur: A day after deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis alleged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was surrounded by "Urban Naxals and anarchists", the BJP's city unit rallied behind Fadnavis, while Congress hit back with a vengeance.
In an exclusive interview with TOI, Fadnavis had described Gandhi as increasingly aligned with ultra-Left ideologies, claiming he is distancing himself from core Congress values.
Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule amplified this stand on Wednesday, accusing Gandhi of performing a "drama" in the name of protecting the Constitution. He also questioned why Gandhi's recent ‘Samvidhan Samman Sammelan' was a closed-door event, implying there might be ulterior motives.
Bawankule further criticised Gandhi's stand on the Constitution, highlighting how Congress amended Ambedkar's original document over 80 times since independence. "Rahul Gandhi openly dismissed the need for reservation, and his party junked Ambedkar's ideas. Using the Constitution now is nothing, but political theatrics," he stated.
Congress leaders, however, continued to push back, with Leader of the Opposition, Vijay Wadettiwar, accusing BJP of insulting social organisations involved in Gandhi's event. "If BJP dismisses Gandhi's rally as ‘nautanki,' they're clearly scared of his impact. Calling it an ‘Urban Naxalite' event insults these organisations. If BJP believes they are ‘urban Naxals,' then Fadnavis should initiate an investigation," he said, warning that such remarks might cost BJP in upcoming elections.
MPCC president Nana Patole launched a counter-attack, claiming BJP's allegations stem from a fear of Gandhi's growing influence. Patole argued that Gandhi's rally near Nagpur's RSS headquarters has rattled BJP. "In Hindu tradition, red is an auspicious colour, yet BJP is treating the red-coloured copy of the Constitution displayed by Gandhi as something profane. Who are they to decide the colour of the Constitution," he questioned. Patole accused BJP of intolerance, asking, "Does Fadnavis view saving the Constitution as ‘urban Naxalism'?"
Patole demanded an apology from Fadnavis, asserting the Deputy CM's statements were not only derogatory to Gandhi's "Save the Constitution" campaign, but also disrespectful to Maharashtrians who participated in Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The Congress leader argued that BJP's criticism reveals its discomfort with Gandhi's rising influence. He emphasised that Gandhi's rally near the RSS's ideological epicentre was intended to highlight Constitution's importance and counter forces that have historically opposed reservations.